If you are looking for stunning landscapes, fascinating history, endless horizons, ancient castles, golden beaches and crystal-clear water, all wrapped up in a 500-mile road trip, then the NC500 is for you. Due to its fame, unfortunately this is not somewhere you will find solitude. Wildlife watching at Chanonry Point. But regardless, the views from the unofficial peak are awe-inspiring. From guided walks to trips to Orkney, it’s a popular stop on the NC500 road trip. The Bealach na Ba road to Applecross is among the finest roads in Scotland and makes for an incredibly scenic drive through the Highlands. Check out the Google map below which has the official NC500 route marked on. After hours you can only go as far as the first chamber, but that is still really impressive. Further Reading for Planning your North Coast 500 trip. There is an easy walk out a rocky headland across the road from the shop. We had to do it! Culloden Battlefield is without a doubt one of the most significant places in Scottish history (£11, FREE for National Trust for Scotland members. There are also a number of public swimming pools along the … See my itinerary for the North Coast 500 in 7 days below. Food is a huge part of the journey and the northern highlands has an impressive larder. sea kayaking, Distance: 39 miles, Overnight at Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel, Day 5: Achmelvich Beach to Tongue incl. Ackergill Tower – If there’s one place you must stay on the North Coast 500 it is this fantastic 16th century castle with a dark and haunted past. This post contains affiliate links which I may make a commission from. Read my top tips for planning a Scotland trip and check out my sample itineraries. Many believe it was built by the Vikings or the Norse. Cachtolll Beach! Scotland's north coast is interspersed with secret paradise beaches - the majority of which can be easily reached from Scotland's North Coast 500 (NC500). No one would begrudge this spectacular stretch of sand taking the title. Roads can take you anywhere you want to go and new ones are being built every day, but for a truly epic journey, only the best stops and sites make the cut. The biggest supermarkets can be found in Inverness, Ullapool, Thurso, Wick and more frequently as you near Inverness. I highly recommend adding an additional day in the area between Ullapool and Durness to make time for the hike to the beach! It is just under 5 km (3 miles) and takes only 1.5 hours – or a little more if you bring a picnic, for example from the Loch Torridon Smokehouse in the village. A handy map you can save to your Google Maps. Leaving the coast and driving inland to loop around to Ullapool felt a bit like a disappointment – where are the views? See map North Coast Map NSW - Mid North Coast Map NSW - Far North Coast Map NSW.. Salt Rock is situated just north of Shaka's Rock and Ballito - a gem of a holiday resort which creates a relaxed holiday atmosphere and even for the locals.The name Salt Rock originates from King Shaka's days when his handmaidens used to collect dried salt off the rocks at low tide. There is no shortage of petrol stations (gas stations) all along the route. The Marquis of Montrose, a Royalist commander, fleeing after losing the battle of Carbisdale, sought refuge in the castle. - Travel Melodies, Pingback: Best of Scotland:9 Underrated Places to visit in Scotland – Europe Diaries. Want to know where to go, what to see and what not to miss? Learn more about the nature reserve here. It is believed that it was built single-handed over 6 months in 1950 by David Scott, an architect from Norwich. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: The Best Places for Wildlife Watching in Scotland. The North Coast of Natal is a dramatically beautiful coastline from north of Durban, to St Lucia, towards Mozambique. For those who don’t know, the North Coast 500 is Scotland’s answer to Route 66. Otherwise, you will spend all day in the car without the option to spend a significant amount of time to discover the things to do in the North Coast 500 from this post. Then do the detour to visit Dunnet Head Lighthouse! Our Recommended North Coast 500 Hotels Guide - where to stay along the NC500. While the beach is not situated on the NC500 route, this short detour is well worth it for the stunning vistas you will be treated to. The woodland trails make for a lovely walk to break up the drive and you get a lovely view of the waterfalls and bridge from the viewpoint further down the gorge. We were not lucky enough to spot any dolphins as it was raining, but we did see some seals bobbing in the water. If you prefer to just enjoy the views, keep driving along Loch Maree until you reach Slattadale and make your way along the narrow road through the forest to the Loch Maree picnic site. 5 days on the North Coast 500 will give you a good amount of time to see many of the sights along the way. But it is well worth a closer look. and never miss out again. Beinn Eighe hike, Distance: 35 miles, Overnight at Gairloch Sands Youth Hostel, Day 3: Gairloch to Ullapool, Distance: 58 miles, Overnight at Ullapool Youth Hostel, Day 4: Ullapool to Achmelvich Beach incl. To reach it you have to master various steep hills and hairpin bends, all the while looking out for incoming traffic. The walk from the car park of Blairmore hamlet is mostly flat through moorland on a well-trodden path. NOTE: Bealach na Bà is closed during the winter months due to ice and snow. Bealach na Ba road is single track, steep and has hairpin bends. Stac Pollaidh and Loch Lurgainn (Kav Dadfar). Others believe it was built by the Mackay family or the Bishops of Caithness in the 1500s. All the photos were breath taking. TOP TIP From Ullapool you can catch the Calmac ferry to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis to spend a few additional days exploring the Outer Hebrides. So to help you begin your adventure, we have compiled a list of the top ten things you need to see on the North Coast. In fact if you park at the roadside without the owners permission, you are breaking the law, please amend. when backing up into a passing place or in the hairpin bends. It is never a bad idea to fill up in larger towns where prices are cheaper. It’s a treasure trove! Walk to west side of the beach and keep going up onto the rocks and onto the flat area at the top. I can’t speak from experience, but can offer a bit of insight: I would imagine that depending on the vehicle you have, some roads, such as the one to Diabaig might be too small to drive [not sure how big your vehicle is though]. It is definitely worth the effort though once you reach the end of the road! 2 nights the minimum to explore the best things to do on Lewis. There is plenty of parking and easy access to the shore of Loch Maree with possibly the best view of Slioch mountain peak in the distance. There is a train from Inverness to Thurso and some bus routes along the major roads connecting the bigger towns and villages. The castle looks like it is clinging on to dry land for its life and it’s a fascinating site to visit. As you begin to make your way east from Durness on the north coast of Scotland, you will eventually reach the charming village of Tongue. Where Does the North Coast 500 Start? Britain’s first National Nature Reserve, Beinn Eighe offers a host of trails to suit everyone. Places to Visit Tourist Guide. What is the food like along the North Coast 500? First, the NC500 leads south-west to the Applecross peninsula, Shieldaig and the Torridon mountains. Required fields are marked *. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1736567/video-tourists-failing-to-heed-campervan-warning-on-busy-section-of-nc500/ For many, these are the highlights of the NC500. You’d imagine that this far north, the climate would be too harsh for anything but gorse and heather – but the Gulf Stream actually has a huge impact on the local flora. It’s an exploration not a race. Launched in 2015, the North Coast 500 encompasses over 500 miles of wild scenery, secluded beaches and historic castles in Scotland’s northern highlands. Prepare to walk away with a list of scenic stops and detours from the main route, recommended activities and tours, yummy eateries, beautiful historic sites and many hidden gems off the beaten track. From here, the walk down (and back up) involves scrambling on very steep rocks and great care should be taken. Inverness is the start and finish point of the North Coast 500, but it would be a shame to rush through without exploring the city itself. Loved following along on your trip and this is a great detailed post that should help all planning the NC500. Over 1,500 Jacobites were killed in an hour and then the battle was over. North Coast 500, Inverness: "What is the best time of year to experience the..." | Check out answers, plus see 705 reviews, articles, and 842 photos of North Coast 500, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 288 attractions in Inverness. It is not difficult or antisocial to drive them here. How wrong I was! Check out my Covid-19 page for updates, travel tips and advice for your itinerary. There is No “Right Time” To Drive Scotland’s North Coast 500. Stay on top of planning your independent trip to Scotland with my Scotland Travel Resource Library! Managed by the John Muir Trust, Sandwood Bay is one of the most remote and beautiful beaches in the whole of the United Kingdom. Sitting beside the River Ness, and dominated by the towering Inverness Castle, there is plenty to keep you occupied for a day or two. September 11, 2018 By // by Jo 20 Comments This post may contain affiliate links, and links to Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Achmelvich Beach is another popular North Coast 500 detour, and you can even spend a night at the hostel located a short walk from the white sand beach like we did! The narrow single track road winds its way up to a viewpoint at 250 metres above sea level. The counties of South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire all have their own delights to offer, including Leeds, York, Scarborough and Beverley. The castle looks straight out of a fairytale. The North Coast 500 is one of the most popular road trip destinations in Scotland. From the top, at 612 m you will be able to enjoy great views of the surrounding higher mountains, the coastline and the Summer Isles offshore. The road to Diabaig is one of the most beautiful NC500 add-ons, but it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. The Black Isle peninsula is worth a trip of its own, but it is also a perfect final place to visit on the North Coast 500. There are not many parking places on this single track road, so take it slow and enjoy the view. Many of the roads are single track and are home to highland coos, sheep, geese and all manner of other travellers.